- On demand
4 Questions Every Distributor Should Ask Before Choosing an On-Demand Store Platform
- Luana Desouza
If you are a promotional products distributor, you likely have a specific set of pain points when it comes to company stores: you need them up fast, you need to handle one-off orders without losing your shirt, and you need to maintain healthy margins.
Based on recent market analysis, many distributors feel stuck between “full service” providers that cap profits at 10% and “build-it-yourself” platforms that require weeks of setup.
To help you navigate the crowded landscape of platform providers, we’ve compiled the ultimate shortlisting checklist. If you are evaluating a new technology partner, ask these four hard questions:
1. "Do you truly support one-off orders with no minimums?"
In today’s market, inventory liability is a dealbreaker. You need a platform that doesn’t just allow single orders but is built for them. Look for “On-Demand” or “POD” (Print on Demand) capabilities that let you produce as little as a single unit without penalties.
- What to look for: A platform that integrates directly with suppliers capable of “no minimum” fulfillment, ensuring you aren’t stuck manually hunting for vendors for every small order.
2. "Can I launch a store in under 15 minutes?"
Time is your most valuable asset. If a platform requires weeks of development or heavy IT involvement, it’s often too “timely” to be profitable for smaller client projects.
- The Benchmark: Look for “On-Demand Store” technology. You should be able to upload a logo, select products, and launch a store in minutes, not days.
3. "Are you built specifically for distributors?"
Many e-commerce platforms are designed for direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands, missing the nuances of the promo industry. A distributor-first platform understands the need for white-labeling, multi-client management, and seamless integration with industry databases in promo.
- Key Feature: Ensure the platform supports “complex” distributor needs like custom markups, client-specific branding, and blind shipping.
4. "Do you protect my margins?"
Some full-service fulfillment options seem convenient but cap your profit at a meager 10%. The right technology partner acts as an engine, not a middleman taking the lion’s share.
- The Math: By managing the store front-end yourself (with easy-to-use tech) and connecting directly to preferred vendors, you can often retain 30-40% margins instead of surrendering profit for convenience.
The Bottom Line Don’t settle for legacy platforms that slow you down or eat your profits. Whether you are looking for a “Hybrid Build” that ties into your existing database or a sleek, fast on-demand store for a pop-up event, make sure your technology partner answers “Yes” to all of the above.
